Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Karnataka's Ramdurg Fort Revival: An inspiring Tale of Swachhata Pakhwada
The 'SwachhataPakhwada' – Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 is going on from 15th Sep to 2nd Oct, coinciding with Swachh Bharat Diwas , observed on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary. During the Pakhwada, numerous cleanliness initiatives are being implemented in various cities, where clean up drives are taken conducted at beaches, tourist destinations, and hills and over 9 crore citizens have joined the Pakhwada fortnight so far.
In line with this, the Ramdurg Town Municipal Council initiated a 'Swachh Historical Movement' in Karnataka, attracting numerous volunteers to partake in a cleaning campaign aimed at safeguarding and promoting the town's historical fort. The Ramdurgfort has a legacy dating back centuries, serving as a vital hub for trade and commerce in the region. Over time, however, neglect and the encroachment of modern development had threatened to erode this precious heritage. Recognizing the importance of preserving their town's historical identity, the Ramdurg TMC took up the challenge.
In Belgavi District, Ramdurg Town Municipal Councilconducted a huge cleanliness drive at Ramdurg Historical Fort under SwachhataPakhwada. This historical site had witnessed the footprints of countless people over the years and even played host to the shooting of movies like ‘Shatru’ .
Under the dynamic leadership of Shri Suresh Pattepur, the team leader of Ramdurga Royals, a brilliant idea emerged to motivate the public and college students to participate in this cleaning drive.With unwavering enthusiasm, more than 150 volunteers rallied around the cause, joining forces for the cleaning of Ramdurga Historical fort. Their commitment was not just about cleaning; it was a promise to transform their town into a garbage-free place. Together, they labored tirelessly, clearing debris, picking up litter, and restoring the port to its former glory.
To raise awareness among the localites, college students and others on ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ in a uniqueways, lots of volunteers gathered to create a human chain at Freedom Fighter’s Circle during the campaign etc.At the end of the day, the Ramdurg Historical fort stood as a shining testament to what a united community could achieve. The Swachh historical movement had not just cleaned the port; it had breathed life back into Ramdurg's past and secured its place in the future as a beacon of historical significance.
To continue the movement for swachhata and as a run up to Gandhi Jayanti, the Hon’ble Prime Minister has called upon all citizens to participate in a one-hour cleanliness drive at 10 am on October 1st, coinciding with Mahatama Gandhi’s Jayanti. He emphasized the significance of contributing to this cleanliness campaign in various public areas, such as streets, neighborhoods, parks, rivers, lakes, and other public places. This large-scale initiative encourages people from all backgrounds to engage in cleaning activities at public places like markets, railway tracks, water bodies, tourist spots, and religious sites. Towns, Gram Panchayats, and various government sectors will facilitate these events, and organizations interested in organizing cleaning activities can apply online. Information about these cleanliness events will be available on the Swachhata Hi Seva – Citizens Portal, where citizens can also upload pictures of their efforts and become Swachhata Ambassadors. Visit https://swachhatahiseva.com/for more details.
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